[kcwoodhead]

is here: <a href="http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/</a><br><br>
I might not have given it enough time for a proper report. Maybe after I sleep on it I'll spice it up a bit.

 

[RunningForT3]

That's a very awesome and proper report!<br>
Congrats again, Kathleen!

 

[TriAndStopMe]

Terrific report! It's great to hear details like the 9/1 and 4/1... and especially that the strategy netted you a PR. If you were averaging 10 minute miles with a minute of walking, you were clearly running a good deal faster than that. Awesome job. Days where everything feels right from the start, aren't nearly as challenging as the day you had. You met ever challenge and still came up with a 42 freakin' minute PR. I think it's time for some smilies!<br><br><img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif">

 

[hobey]

Yes girl. YOU FREAKIN' ROCKED! It hurt, it was painful but you came through and kicked the tar out of the race. Congrats again!

 

[Tithers]

Blue stripes are HAWT! Great job! I love your stick-to-it-ness!

 

[NBjunkie]

KC--GREAT job on your M--all that training paid off! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

<i>Looking back, I'm still very undecided on the overall experience. It hurt, that is for sure. It definitely took a LOT of work. I would not call this a magical day, as I did at Ironstar, a 10k, and Sunmart this year. Those were all awesome days and my performance was almost effortless. Today included more effort than I have ever put into any 4.5 hours of my life. If you want to get technical, I guess it included more effort over the past 11 months.</i><br><br>
I don't know about the Kenyans, the elites... But for the rest of us (except maybe Thor) this is how it works. Running a marathon, 26.2 endless miles, particularly when we're pushing boundaries - going 42 minutes faster than we've ever gone before, hurts. That's what makes the accomplishment so huge. You killed it. Nice job!

 

[Kate60]

That is seriously freakin awesome KC.

 

[regiolanthe]

Congrats on the PR, KC - I'm sure the accomplishment will sink in soon! Lucky 7 indeed.<br><br>
Reg.

 

[BethR]

Way to go Kathleen - lot of effort, but you made it happen! Congrats on a great race! <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[juliemboyle]

WOWZA!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you are a rockstar! Awesome accomplishment and you deserve it...you worked so hard for this day, I'm really happy for you!<br><br>
Great, great job!<br><br>
ps......You look so awesome in the pictures.....hard to believe you had just finished running 26.2!!!

 

[kcwoodhead]

Thanks guys!!!<br><br>
I feel like total a$$ today - I assume no surprise though!!<br><br>
I edited my race report a bit, but I figure I may be doing that from time to time over the next few days.<br><br>
I have been proud of how I have been recovering this season - I haven't blinked an eye at the thought of running 18 one day and biking long the next. In the past, long runs left me pretty beat up, but I'm holding up better these days...at least until yesterday! I just plain hurt today! I guess I'm not quite as invincible as I thought I was!<br><br>
Not complaining...more laughing at myself for not thinking this would hurt as bad as it does.

 

[Stitcher]

You write a good race report.<br>
Personally....I would have kept that dessert to myself....even if it was chocolate!!<br><br>
You're a more generous person that I!<br><br>
Great job....<br>
Go get a masssage...you deserve it.

 

[pete_72]

Well done!!

 

[kimber45]

That's fantastic! Great job.<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Yo Mikey]

Way to run KC! Thanks for sharing your run!!

 

[Heather H]

Great job Kathleen!! and great report!

 

[mmoonptdeux]

I hope the accomplishment sinks in for you soon KC, because you have a lot to be proud of<br><br>
Knocking 42 minutes off your PR takes a ton of work and dedication.<br><br>
Getting through your rough spots with your IT Band and speeding it up at the finish like you did takes guts and determination.<br><br>
And those end pics make it look like you've been out for 2.62 miles rather than 26.2 miles.<br><br>
Congrats on an awesome effort and great RR, KC - take it easy and recover well!

 

[melistic]

very nice<br>
You might not have beat Oprah but you smashed the time of the girl who used to be Katie Holmes.

 

[Thor]

First off, amazing race, amazing effort, great race report... all of it.<br><br>
Second, let me comment on this...<br>
Looking back, this will only grow deeper in your book as being one of your greatest races for the very reasons you mentioned above.<br><br>
As you probably know, I've run many marathons. The ones that stick first and foremost in my mind are the ones where I put my heart and soul on the line. Sure, there are some other very special marathons that stick out just the same, but they do for very special reasons, but aside from the special case ones, the ones that stick out most have not been the most fun. Some have been a great time, but the pain to get to that point really was a lot.<br><br>
For the very reasons you mention, I am not so quick to want to go back and try for a marathon PR. The last time I went under three hours -- at Sugarloaf Marathon in May '07 -- I went through so much pain of holding on, the mental strength required too so much out of me, that I have very little desire to go after that goal again anytime soon. Sure, I'll be ready at some point. But I remember that pain all too well. And when I think about that marathon for too long, and recall the experiences and the pain at mile 13, again at 15, and 18, and 20 and the unforgetable two hours with which I had to hang on, and that thread nearly snapping at 23, 24, and 25 and even 25.8, I shy away. But the truth is that that marathon plus those where I did just the same, stick with me like a badge of honor, and as the time goes by I look back on it more in awe than for the fun it was. And I bet you will too.<br><br>
But do yourself a favor. Remember the strength you had to hold on when all you wanted to do was quite; remember the grit with which you fought, and remember that you didn't die but rather held pace to finish as strong as you could. Because that confidence -- knowing you can hold on long after your body is ready to quit -- is what will make you break new goals, achieve yet more, and continue to smash PR's. And for this reason, be careful about setting number goals, because let's just say that you set as a goal 5 hours and never gave yourself credit for having the potential to go faster... then you just capped your performance. So charge forward, girl, and knock another out of the park!